Monday 18 November 2013

Emancipation of Hijras


The term “hijra” is very widely used term in Hindi (and a few other languages). But when it comes to finding an equivalent term in English, it is a tad bit more complex. Terms like transgender, transexual and asexual all refer to a set of people with a non-specific sexual identity but are not exactly equivalents of “hijra”. A simpler way of defining them would be to say that they are a set of people who do not fit into either of the two genders that are officially accepted in most countries, male and female. 


People with Kleinfelter’s Syndrome (XXY sex chromosome) or Turner’s Syndrome (X0 sex chromosomes) fall into the category who due to chromosomal mutations in the fetal stage  are born with a genetic defect which affects their reproductive systems, rendering them sexless and hence, infertile.

What is important to know is the widespread ignorance about this category of people and the derogatory use of the term to signify the class of people belonging to the category. Often have I come across a group of “hijras” being invited to dance on the birth of a newborn in a house and provide them with blessings for which they get paid a meager amount. Also, a group of them roaming about inside train compartments and buses asking people for alms is another very common sight. 

A long talk with Hema, a “hijra” I once met during one such train journey made me realize how neglected and mistreated they are. From being driven out of her home by her own parents to being deprived of basic education, food, and a means of earning to being abused and called names to begging in trains, she had seen it all. It is not just her story but the story of almost every other “hijra” in our country (or for that matter in most others). It is indeed sorrowful when we realize that these innocent people are deprived of their basic rights as humans only because they were born with a genetic disorder for which they are not responsible.
Living in a world where a huge section of the population belongs to this sub-group, it comes as a huge shock when we see absolutely no representatives from their group in any respected (and not respectable) profession. 

“Hijras” are widely ostracized and looked down upon which deprives them of any opportunity to get good education or to secure a proper job to earn a livelihood which leaves them to the only option left - begging. It should also be noted that being born without a well developed reproductive system does not imply that they are incapable of functioning properly in other spheres of life. They are not intellectually challenged and are very well capable of performing activities that any other individual can if they are provided with the opportunity to do so.

Moreover, there is an absence of identification for their group. The section for sexual identity in any legal format has just two gender groups, male and female. Since these people belong to neither, does it mean they do not exist legally? It is really horrific when you realize that the entire section faces an identity crisis for their country does not provide them with a proper identity and they are either left without a legal identity card or are forced to fit themselves into either of the two possible categories as specified by the law.

A milestone change was done recently when the government of Bangladesh added a new category, “hijra” to their list of accepted genders. “Hijras” in Bangladesh can now legally identify themselves the way they are and can now have the rights that any other male or female in the country has. The step does not ensure that the outlook of people towards “hijras” would change from henceforth but it is truly encouraging to see that the laws have been more accepting and tolerant towards them which will slowly help spreading awareness in people. They have set an example for other countries to learn from and follow. I’m personally looking forward to that day when I see others like Hema work in the same office or study in the same college I do.


Swarnali Das

19 comments:

  1. Thought provoking article indeed! They are the most neglected people in our society..

    love
    http://www.meghasarin.com

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    1. Thanks so much, Megha :) They indeed are, it makes me extremely sad to see how these people are neglected and tortured for no fault of theirs. I sincerely hope things change for the better for them.

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  2. U know there was a movie in telugu where this issue was highlighted. Just coz they have no sex they shouldnt be education deprived or live in shadows forever.
    I really appreciate Bangladesh Govt. Hope to see a change never dies. Lets see

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    1. Yes, I am really hoping change comes soon. What is the name of the movie?

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  3. A step to help such people to create their dignified identity soon. thanks for writing this. Wonderful.

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    1. Yes, we really need changes in the legal system to come soon to help these people find an identity for themselves. Thanks a bunch, Shraddha :)

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  4. a good one :) after a long time, I have come across an article on transgenders......

    I wrote one too, a couple of years back......

    http://narayanikarthik.blogspot.in/2010/05/way-to-go-kalki.html

    And there are those certain people who will bring in a change for good. Yes, the change will be slow. But I believe, it will happen :)

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    1. Thanks a tonne, Narayani. i read your post, it is very sensitively and well written. Lets hope we get to see the change soon enough.

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  5. You are right. Though the government there has taken measures it doesn't mean it changes much in the society in general. Even if they were largely accepted in India, I wonder if people will ever stop demeaning them. But your post is certainly a start. if more people talked about it and started changing atleast their prospective about it, I am sure the change could may be someday set a chain reaction..:)
    Nice post..:)

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    1. Thanks for the appreciation, Monica :) Yes, the dream of a time when people will stop demeaning them is a distant one but we need to start the change on a personal level and spread awareness to as many we can. I'm really hoping Indian laws start being more empathetic towards them.

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  6. Hi Swarnali, I really appreciate your post. But there are some good changes happening in the country, small but a decent start. Have you read about Indian transgender rights activist Laxmi, the first transgender person to represent Asia Pacific in the UN? I have seen her interviews, she is awesome and has set an example for one and all. Also, a few months ago, it was so nice to see two transgenders seated in the ladies compartment discussing their work in some company. I felt so good to see that at least a few companies are accepting them, and so are the Navi Mumbaiites as instead of shooing them away [which is such a disturbing thing] the ladies looked up to them. Hope things improve for them all.

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    1. Hello, Anurada. Thanks so much for the appreciation. Yes, I have heard of Laxmi, she is indeed very inspiring for all of us. And it is really great to know that people are more tolerant and accepting towards them. I really hope the entire world starts following suit. Thanks again :)

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    2. *Anuradha. Pardon the typo.

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  7. Hey Swarnali..nice one..and good you got such things to our notice, not only you but Naryani and Anuradha..all 3 of u has given us another eye to see them and think about them. I truly wish that change is sooner and India becomes a better place to be for everyone!

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    1. Hello Beta (insert your real name),
      Thanks for the appreciation, means a lot. Yes, creating awareness ad bringing the issue to the forefront is what we all want. Changes need to happen soon.

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  8. Swarnali.. nice article. I appreciate your empathy. Did you know that the word transgender itself is very derogatory and exclusive. Trasgender means surpassing gender. Well it could have been both empowering and exclusivist. But sadly, in our country there is social shame associated with having a child who is a transgender. As adults if our children's personality does nothing to uphold our prestige, we try to change them, and sometimes we may reject them. Sadly, this is always the case with hijras. They are deemed to be nothing..associated with infertility and shame. How difficult their life must be. Full of social rejection. I just had a thought.. in our country if some sadhu had a dream and pronounced that hijras are like 'ardhnarishwars', they would start being worshipped instead overnight. We as a society frame people in an image and expect them to behave within the boundaries cast by the image. It is sad. Youngsters need to be be a lot more open minded in this country. Maybe the next generation would be an emancipated one.. a bit like Tagore dreamt "Where the mind is without fear, and the head is head high, into that heaven, my father, let my country awake"

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    1. Hey there, Divya. Thank you so very much for reading my article and leaving your precious feedback, I really appreciate it. :) Well yes, I couldn't have agreed more to what you said. I personally don't like the term transgender, it doesn't define hijras properly like I mentioned. We seriously need a change in our mindsets, to challenge what has been burdened upon us and try to change things or a better world, for us and for other around us. :)

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  9. One more thing,You have a beautiful name! :)

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